Shows
EWBpod - Educating While Black Podcast'The learning journey', In conversation with Adrian ROn this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Adrian (@adrian_rollins - twitter // @adrian.rollins - instagram) reflect on Adrian's dual-career life; first as a professional cricketer and then as a highly regarded leader in education.Adrian's familial links to both sports and education give a good window into understanding how he entered both professions and how he has used his identity to push the narrative about expectations and realities wider than sometimes considered. This is further interrogated when looking the relationship between representations (and perceptions) of professional sports, as often given to young Black students, and...
2022-02-071h 18
EWBpod - Educating While Black Podcast'Disrupting the System', In conversation with MatthewOn this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Matthew (@callmemrmorris - twitter // @matthewrmorris - instagram) have an illuminating and reflective conversation about how identity intersects with and shapes experiences - particularly of Black men within the educational landscape.During the conversation, Matthew provides countless examples of being intentional and contemplative in making decisions, as well as working with the effects of them - In particular, thinking about how those decisions would impact the representation he would be providing for others. Similarly, we trade stories of receiving blatant racial disrespect and the cognitive and emotional taxation involved in...
2022-01-231h 25
EWBpod - Educating While Black Podcast'Stereotypes are limiting', In conversation with Jason BradshawOn this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Jason Bradshaw (@JBradshaw01) have a brilliant conversation about how the spectrum of Blackness expands far beyond the extremities its often given by both Black and non-Black people alike.Right from the start, we talk about Jason's love for both science and science fiction in particular. We talk about how these interests led him to study science for his undergrad degree, but that same passion for science fiction has at points been presented as a 'non-stereotypical' thing for Black men to be involved in. We talk about how...
2021-10-011h 17
EWBpod - Educating While Black Podcast'This is Civil Rights work', In conversation with Dr. Melissa Wilson.On this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Dr Melissa Wilson (@Drawn2Intellect) have a blast talking about the ways in which the work of anti-oppression is both beneficial for our immediate selves and is at the same time, bigger than us.In a different direction from other podcasts that Dr. Wilson has been on - she is a regular guest on the equally awesome 'Anti-Racist Educator Reads' podcast series - the format of EWB allowed for a more personal and reflective conversation that spans the amassed wealth of experience and knowledge to date.We...
2021-09-171h 17
EWBpod - Educating While Black Podcast'Systems and Students’, a conversation with Cleon.On this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Cleon (@inperspectiveuk) have an overdue redo of what would have been EWB's first conversation!Honing in on Cleon's interest in coaching and development, we talk about how early career exposure to this, (via a HR role in the police service) left him dissatisfied with the focus being on procedural compliance over personal development. The impact of this would influence his work in youth development more broadly.We consider how undertaking the role of Head of Behaviour in a Black body is a complex navigation of working within t...
2021-06-111h 15
EWBpod - Educating While Black Podcast'On that journey to being brave’, a conversation with Craig.On this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Craig (@MrCunninghamEDU) have an intersectional conversation about their experiences in the classroom.We talk about how going into teaching for Craig was a bit of an inevitable career choice, despite the length of time he was able put it off for (according to his family) and the uncertainty of it being a welcoming space based on own school experiences. We also explore the intersection of characteristics that are more and less visible and how being both Black and gay can play out professionally and personally in educative spaces.
2021-05-251h 34
EWBpod - Educating While Black Podcast'Black lives still matter’, a conversation with Karl.On this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Karl (@actionheroteacher) have a wide ranging conversation about education.We talk Karl's reflections that led him to write his book Action Hero Teacher - the angle of which was intentionally written for teachers, 'in a friendly voice that would give them practical, no BS help that would make the difference in their teaching career'. Click here to check out more of about Karl's reflection of that book two years on.We engage in a conversation about the history and utility of education; the unhelpful flattening of racial...
2021-05-041h 36
EWBpod - Educating While Black Podcast'Taking and passing the baton’, a conversation with Manny.On this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Manny (@Mannyawo) have an EXTENDED conversation about the legacy of the education system inherited by the previous generation as well as the hopes of correcting some of the harmful impacts endured throughout their own.We talk about how structural racism and discrimination are ever present in the education system and how pattern spotting - being something that all educators are trained to do - can reveal a very different sequence of events when an equity/justice lens is placed over it.We explore critical moments of our...
2021-04-131h 45
EWBpod - Educating While Black Podcast‘Embrace your Blackness’, a conversation with Mekel.On this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Mekel (@MekelHomer) have a conversation about the identity in education and how it shapes interactions and long term experiences.We talk about the impact of being a man, working with infants - who we as a society teach to be wary of strange and unfamiliar men; the use of self to illustrate life examples of similarities and difference to showcase a variety of Black experiences, and; leaning into identity to build and maintain rapport with students in order to influence how they see themselves.We also discuss how being secure in identities...
2021-03-2658 min
EWBpod - Educating While Black Podcast'Coming out as Black', a conversation with ChantelleOn this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Chantelle (IG - @Chantelle38 / 🐦 - @_ChanRaq) have a conversation that is as much a journey of self reflection as it is one that is a reflection of working within the education system at various levels.We talk about reflections of working with students throughout their educational career, including encouraging young boys to cry as a means of expression, (as opposed to suppressing it and then sanctioning other associated expressions) and how the experience of simply trying to get through university as a BAME student can cause one not take notice of the sur...
2021-03-121h 05
EWBpod - Educating While Black Podcast‘We should just be calling it reparations', a conversation with JessOn this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Jess (IG - @JessOddy) reminisce on the experience of university, (both formally and informally) and how that informed the decision to pursue different paths within education as a profession.We talk about the colonialist confines of being educated in 'Russell Group' universities and the need to really understand what you want to study as much as where; the decision to leave education in the UK to pursue International Development, and; the reflections of being the darkest person in the room despite identifying as Black-Mixed Race and using privilege of position to redress...
2020-11-2454 min
EWBpod - Educating While Black Podcast‘Put respect on my name', a conversation with La-Keshia.Trigger warning: This episode speaks about La-Keshia's past witnessing of violent language and physical actions involving Black students.On this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and La-Keshia (IG - @She_Writes86) have a conversation about the importance of growing one's own personal power of self validation.⠀We talk about the 'night and day' impact of being recognised by leadership and the permission it gives others to also 'see you'; the often dumbfounded responses to exceeding or existing outside of the narrow expectations of 'type' and 'fit', and; how triggering experiences for Black educators are dealt with by those who perceive it...
2020-11-141h 05
EWBpod - Educating While Black Podcast‘You have to be able to live with yourself’, a conversation with IshOn this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Ish (@madre_ejima) have a conversation about the lessons learned from having many different roles in the development and experience of school students.⠀We talk about formative experiences of picking up on the acute needs of students with learning barriers; the interventionist approaches taken to support students in the face of school policies and navigating conversations with parents about having wider expectations of their children.The conversation goes into speaking about how setting boundaries for adult friendships is important for preventing harm - especially to one’s own children - and the situ...
2020-11-061h 04
EWBpod - Educating While Black Podcast‘We are, just like you are', a conversation with GennaOn this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Genna (@gengenics) have a conversation about finding a place of comfort and contentment in the world in an education.⠀We talk about a decision to throw caution to the wind by upping sticks and moving to Qatar and the confirmation of self, skill and conviction to education that the experience gave. We also touch on the decision to only pursue roles that were of interest, leading to a conscious decision to take up non-teaching pastoral roles.The conversation also gives light to the positive aspect of using identity to educate others as we...
2020-10-261h 01
EWBpod - Educating While Black Podcast‘You’re getting all of it', a conversation with SusanOn this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Susan (@MsSkyers - 🐦) have a conversation about getting hip to the ‘game’ of whiteness after having a childhood free of its direct existence/impact. We talk about the ‘appearance’ of happiness being more important than it actually being felt; experiences that began to reveal notions of Britishness, and; what to take from being told by the principal that your career progression within the school wasn’t considered or planned for. The conversation also reflects on having a view of self without a ‘Black’ prefix to it and understanding how pervasive anti-Black racism is, based on the...
2020-09-271h 13
EWBpod - Educating While Black Podcast‘Committed to Who I Am', a conversation with JessOn this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Jess (@HelloJessBoyd) have a conversation about taking steps to develop yourself, for yourself.⠀We talk about the reflections from two early experiences that involved exposure to new cultural settings both at home and abroad and how these reimagined a 'career' as pursuing a meaningful vocation.The conversation also looks at the choices and compromises that teachers who have young families are often made to make and the importance of developing your own support network who reinforces your own sense of self to see you through difficult challenges.
2020-09-2056 min
EWBpod - Educating While Black Podcast‘I’m f-ing clever', a conversation with StephOn this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Steph (@Badass.Shaldas) have a conversation about possessing enough discernment to appreciate the difference between knowing 'your sh--' and 'you're sh--'.⠀We discuss how diversity *is* a hireable competency, the need to be pragmatic and flexible enough to absorb from those and that which surrounds you and how even when in possession of a strong sense of identity & a clear track record, imposter syndrome can still seek to derail.Embracing Blackness and knowing that it can't (and shouldn't) be hidden reduces its ability to be used as a weapon - one can't ex...
2020-09-121h 05
EWBpod - Educating While Black Podcast‘Watch them, gas them', a conversation with JoOn this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Jo (@Jo_Sa_Pheen) geek out on all this history teaching (while Black).⠀We discuss our initial reactions to meeting each other as Black educators in similar positions of leadership, the navigation of being 'the face' of history education for other professionals and parents alike and the political nature of constructing narratives of the past.Reflections on past experiences are always subject to interpretation and revision. Being able to look back and pull out the lessons learned from them are great reminders of overarching purpose and useful when deciding on which battles to...
2020-09-0653 min
EWBpod - Educating While Black Podcast‘Café au Lait', a conversation with JessOn this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon @SuperMahrio and Jess @JessAndohThayre discuss what it means to pop up in different countries across the globe and leave having learned as much from the experience as was formally taught in classrooms.⠀⠀We discuss what temporary immersion into a host culture looks like, the reflective learning taken from 'third culture' children and the importance of promoting representation while resisting buying into the belief that there is conversation fatigue on racial matters in education.Navigating spaces identifying as mixed-race/bi-racial makes for a nuanced POV and appreciation of how we see ourselves vs how others see...
2020-08-2957 min
EWBpod - Educating While Black Podcast‘A Change is as Good as a Rest’, with YanséOn this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Yansé (@CooperYanse) recount moments on the journey of growing into radicalism. We talk about having integrity in ones own actions and the blatant hypocrisy of a system that creates and upholds a sense of those who deserve empathy in times of misfortune vs those whose misfortune is weaponised against them.Having access to people who can provide space to both escape to and be vulnerable with, (while maintaining accountability) highlights the importance of seeking community to weather the growing pains associated with finding our optimal environment to thrive.
2020-08-211h 01
EWBpod - Educating While Black PodcastEp 4 Teaser: ‘A Change is as Good as a Rest’, with Yansé.On this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Yansé (@YanseCooper) recount moments on the journey of growing into radicalism.
We talk about having integrity in ones own actions and the blatant hypocrisy of a system that creates and upholds a sense of those who deserve empathy in times of misfortune vs those whose misfortune is weaponised against them.
Having access to people who can provide space to both escape to and be vulnerable with, (while maintaining accountability) highlights the importance of seeking community to weather the growing pains associated with finding our optimal environment to thrive.
2020-08-1900 min
EWBpod - Educating While Black Podcast‘The Audacity of Taking Up Space’, with ShariOn this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Shari (@ShariForTheCulture) bring a Canadian flavour to the conversation of understanding and utilising your identity to uplift yourself and others.We talk about the freedoms - and the underlying sense of self-awareness - associated with choosing a less prescriptive degree level subject of study and how this sense of 'entitled to do anything' influenced the notion of travelling to teach abroad as standard fare. Using a poignant career moment as a catalyst to re-invest in self, reset and move forward, brings home the idea that solid foundations of self-assuredness allow you to b...
2020-08-1456 minEWBpod - Educating While Black PodcastEp 3 Teaser: ‘The Audacity of Taking Up Space’, with ShariOn this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Shari (@ShariForTheCulture) bring a Canadian flavour to the conversation of understanding and utilising your identity to uplift yourself and others.
We talk about the freedoms - and the underlying sense of self-awareness - associated with choosing a less prescriptive degree level subject of study and how this sense of 'entitled to do anything' influenced the notion of travelling to teach abroad as standard fare.
Using a poignant career moment as a catalyst to re-invest in self, reset and move forward, brings home the idea that solid...
2020-08-1200 min
EWBpod - Educating While Black Podcast'Acting Up', a conversation with MarthaOn this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Martha (@MarthaDaCosme) discuss formative and memorable moments of teaching in the UK and abroad.The discussion includes being unapologetically Black, the paradox of simultaneously being graded as 'inadequate' yet consistently achieving the highest grades in the school and what happens when the system doesn’t hold up its end of the bargain. Beyond this, the conversation highlights teaching in Black majority spaces, knowing when to walk away and understating how to 'apprentice yourself' for the role you want.Stay ready, don’t have to get ready...
2020-08-0758 minEWBpod - Educating While Black PodcastEp 2 Teaser: 'Acting Up', a conversation with MarthaOn this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Martha (@MarthaDaCosme) discuss formative and memorable moments of teaching in the UK and abroad.
The discussion includes being unapologetically Black, the paradox of simultaneously being graded as 'inadequate' yet consistently achieving the highest grades in the school and what happens when the system doesn’t hold up its end of the bargain. Beyond this, the conversation highlights teaching in Black majority spaces, knowing when to walk away and understating how to 'apprentice yourself' for the role you want.
Stay ready, don’t have to get ready...
2020-08-0500 min
EWBpod - Educating While Black Podcast'Bashment to Boardroom', a conversation with ChantelleOn this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Chantelle (@MsCocoLondon) look back on some of her most formative experiences of being a Black educator.A long time friend and accomplished teacher in her own right, Chantelle gives a brilliant recount of her educational experience to date.From talking about being profiled for assumed university education, to having a line manager casually confess after a few months that leadership had a 'secret' question mark on her suitability for the school based on her giving feedback that was deemed 'too honest' (read: taken personally), we chat about the impact of affirming words...
2020-07-311h 01EWBpod - Educating While Black PodcastEp 1 Teaser: 'Bashment to Boardroom', a conversation with ChantelleOn this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Chantelle (@MsCocoLondon) look back on some of her most formative experiences of being a Black educator.
A long time friend and accomplished teacher in her own right, Chantelle gives a brilliant recount of her educational experience to date.
From talking about being profiled for assumed university education, to having a line manager casually confess after a few months that leadership had a 'secret' question mark on her suitability for the school based on her giving feedback that was deemed 'too honest' (read: taken personally), we chat...
2020-07-2900 min
EWBpod - Educating While Black PodcastPilotWhen your teacher training provider sets up a series of networking events called ‘cock-up clubs’ (which were described both as ‘events focus[sed] on individual challenges that leaders have overcome that have informed their development as a successful leader’ and ‘meetings with successful leaders speaking about ‘their own career low points and how failure and despair can be turned around’), you'd think that the invitation to share your own stories of triumph and tribulations was a given... But what happens when the choice to share career low points and near misses is seen as an act of career sabotage? To Black educa...
2020-07-2804 min